Supreme Court bans hunting of Houbara Bustard, cancels all licenses

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – A three-member bench of the Supreme Court banned the hunting of Houbara Bustard and cancelled all the licences issued by the Foreign Ministry. The bench headed by Chief Justice Jawaad S Khawaja also stopped the federal government and the Foreign Office from issuing more permits in this regard. The petitioner contended that the government cannot allow the hunting of Houbara Bustard under the international agreements. Additional Advocate General Amir Rahman said that the hunting of Houbara Bustard is a game and the government sends invitations for the hunting. Justice Dost Muhammad remarked that it is not a cultural heritage show so that invitations should be sent, but it is the misuse of law and authority. Chief Justice Jawaad S Khawaja said that it is hunting of rare birds, not a game. “The hunting of rare birds is the violation of Article 5 of the Constitution,” he remarked.